JP4194157B2 - Key input device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a key input device using operation keys, and more particularly to a device suitable for use in a zoom key of a video camera or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional key input device using operation keys will be described below using a video camera as an example. Conventionally, many video cameras are equipped with autofocus and power zoom functions. In recent years, with the miniaturization of video cameras, there are an increasing number of keys such as zoom keys. Before that, for example, in a video camera 100 as shown in FIG. 3, a seesaw type zoom key 110 for performing zooming using two fingers was mainly used. The video camera 100 includes a lens unit 102, a finder unit 103, an openable / closable display 104, or the like at a predetermined portion of the camera body 101.
[0003]
In recent years, video cameras have been downsized as described above, and recently, zoom keys 120 that can be operated with one finger as shown in FIG. 4 have become mainstream. The video camera 100 of FIG. 4 also includes a lens unit 102, a finder unit 103, and the like at predetermined portions of the camera body 101. In particular, the zoom key 120 is disposed on the front side of the camera body 101.
[0004]
FIG. 5 shows a typical configuration example of this kind of zoom key 120 mounted on the conventional video camera 100 (FIG. 4). In FIG. 5, 121 is a zoom operation unit, and 122 is a base that rotatably supports the zoom operation unit 121 via a rotation shaft 123. Reference numerals 124 and 125 denote stoppers that regulate the rotation directions A and B of the zoom operation unit 121, respectively. The zoom operation unit 121 has contact portions 121 a and 121 b that contact the stoppers 124 and 125.
[0005]
The zoom operation unit 121 is electrically connected to a variable resistor, and the resistance value of the variable resistor varies depending on the absolute position of the zoom operation unit 121 during zooming. When the zoom operation is not performed, the zoom operation unit 121 is configured to return to the neutral position by the elasticity of a spring or the like, and the variable resistor outputs an intermediate resistance value at the neutral position. Yes.
[0006]
That is, it is possible to detect whether the variable resistor is moved in the movable direction A or the movable direction B depending on the resistance value of the variable resistor. When actually used in a video camera or the like, by performing voltage conversion, it becomes possible to detect how much is moved in which direction by using a microcomputer or the like.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, as the zoom keys used in the past are often miniaturized with a video camera, many zoom keys can be operated with one finger. In other words, the zoom operation unit can be moved so that the zoom operation can be performed with one finger. The range is getting smaller. However, while the zoom key 120 as described above can be reliably operated with one finger, the movable range is narrow. Therefore, when zooming at a specific speed is performed with a video camera having a plurality of zooming speeds, it is difficult to keep the zoom operation unit 121 fixed at a fixed position. As a result, the zooming speed changes, resulting in a jerky zooming, resulting in poor quality video.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a key input device that realizes an appropriate and smooth operation.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Key input device according to the invention can be operated by fingers with protruding from the package member comprises a reciprocable operating keys capable of returning to its operation neutral position, the variable output obtained in accordance with the movement position of the operation key A key input device configured to be capable of being
A first spring that urges the operation key to return to its neutral position when the operation force on the operation key is released;
A key fixing means that includes a friction member or a small protrusion provided on a side surface of the operation key and a protrusion provided on the exterior member side, and brakes the operation key by an engaging action between both;
A second spring that biases the operation key so as to ensure a gap between the friction member or small protrusion of the operation key and the protrusion on the exterior member side;
By pressing the operation key against the protrusion side, the key fixing means is engaged, and by releasing the pressing, the operation key is urged by the second spring to perform normal operation. A key input device characterized by returning to a state .
[0010]
Also, the operation keys in the key input device according to the present invention, in accordance with the moving position by changing the resistance value of the variable resistor is constituted as a zoom key which is to perform zooming operation, in a fixed position by said key locking means Accordingly, the zooming speed is kept constant.
[0011]
The video camera of the present invention includes any one of the zoom keys described above.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a key input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a zoom key 10 according to this embodiment. The basic configuration of the zoom key 10 is substantially the same as the conventional zoom key (FIG. 5) in basic configuration and electrical configuration. That is, the zoom operation unit 11 is rotatably supported by the base 12 via the rotation shaft 13. The zoom operation unit 11 has contact portions 11a and 11b that contact the stoppers 14 and 15, and the rotation directions A and B are restricted, respectively.
[0013]
The zoom operation unit 11 is electrically connected to a variable resistor, and the resistance value of the variable resistor varies depending on the absolute position of the zoom operation unit 11 during zooming. When the zoom operation is not performed, the zoom operation unit 11 is configured to return to a neutral position with a spring or the like, and outputs an intermediate resistance value at the neutral position.
[0014]
In the present invention, a friction member 16 having a large friction coefficient such as rubber is attached to the side surface of the zoom operation unit 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the friction member 16 is provided along a circumference around the rotation shaft 13. Moreover, it is preferably attached to the side surfaces on both sides of the zoom operation unit 11, but may be any one side surface. Or you may make it the structure which covers all the movable parts of the zoom operation part 11 with the friction members 16, such as rubber | gum.
[0015]
A movable part (zoom operation unit 11) of the zoom key 10 projects from the exterior member 1 of the camera body. That is, the exterior member 1 is a cover for exposing only the movable part of the entire zoom key 10 to the operation surface. In the conventional example, the zoom key is merely used to cover a portion other than the movable portion. In the present invention, a hole 2 for projecting the movable part of the zoom key 10 is formed in the exterior member 1, and a process is performed to increase the friction coefficient in a part of the hole 2, that is, a corresponding part of the friction member 16. Is done.
[0016]
As this process, for example, a knurled small protrusion 3 may be formed as shown. The protrusions 3 are preferably formed corresponding to the side surfaces on both sides of the zoom operation unit 11, but may be on either side surface. When the side surface of the zoom operation unit 11 is pressed against the projection 3, a frictional force acts on the zoom key 10 to make it difficult to move appropriately.
[0017]
As described above, in the present invention, the friction member 16 such as rubber having a large friction coefficient is attached to the side surface or the whole of the movable portion of the zoom key 10, and the protruding portion 3 such as a jagged portion is also applied to the exterior member 1 so as to increase the friction coefficient. Is provided. Accordingly, when zooming at a constant speed at a low speed, the zoom operation unit 11 is easily and accurately fixed at a certain position by pressing the zoom operation unit 11 against the protrusion 3 side of the exterior member 12 with a finger. Can continue. The zoom operation unit 11 can be returned to the normal operation by releasing the pressing on the zoom operation unit 11.
[0018]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the zoom key 20 according to this embodiment. This example is a zoom key 20 that slides in the horizontal direction. A zoom operation unit 21 is electrically connected to the variable resistor. By sliding the zoom operation unit 21 with a finger in the movable direction A or B in the figure, the resistance value can be varied corresponding to the absolute position of the key operation unit 21. The zoom operation unit 21 is provided with a small protrusion 22 having elasticity by a spring or the like provided at an appropriate position of the movable unit.
[0019]
The exterior member 1 is a cover for bringing the zoom operation unit 21 of the zoom key 20 onto the operation surface, as in the case of the first embodiment. Also in this example, a hole 2 for projecting the zoom operation portion 21 of the zoom key 20 is formed in the exterior member 1, and a friction coefficient is increased in a part of this hole 2, that is, a corresponding portion of the small protrusion 22 in this example. To be processed. As this process, similar to the case of the first embodiment, the knurled small protrusions 3 may be formed.
[0020]
In the second embodiment, the zoom key 20 is difficult to move when the zoom operation unit 21 is pressed against the side surface of the hole 2. That is, by pressing the zoom operation unit 21 against the projection 3, the small projection 22 is elastically engaged with the projection 3, so that the zoom key 20 body is fixed and difficult to move.
[0021]
In the present invention, the friction member 16 such as rubber or the small protrusion 22 having elasticity is attached to the zoom main body so as not to inadvertently come into contact with the protrusion 3 provided on the exterior member 1. Alternatively, a certain gap S (see FIG. 1) may be provided between the zoom operation unit 11 (or 21) and the projection 3. In this case, the zoom operation unit 11 (or 21) can be elastically biased by using a spring or the like so as to ensure such a gap S.
[0022]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the friction member 16 is formed of a material such as rubber has been described. However, the forming material is not limited to rubber and the like, and synthetic resin, alloys, and the like can be used.
[0023]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the friction member 16 such as rubber or a protrusion is provided on the side surface of the zoom operation unit 11, and the protrusion 1 such as a jagged surface is similarly provided on the exterior member 1 that covers the zoom key. Even in a small zoom key with a small movable range, the key operation unit can be fixed so as not to move carelessly, so that it is possible to easily perform zooming at a constant speed.
[0024]
In the above description, the example in which the present invention is applied to a video camera has been described. However, the key input device of the present invention is not limited to the case of a video camera, but can be effectively applied to operation keys in various electronic devices.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a key input device that realizes an appropriate and smooth zooming operation even in a micro video camera.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a zoom key according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a zoom key according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an external view of a video camera according to a conventional zoom key.
FIG. 4 is an external view of a video camera according to another conventional zoom key.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional zoom key.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Exterior member 2 Hole 3 Protrusion part 10 Zoom key 11 Zoom operation part 11a, 11b Contact part 12 Base part 13 Rotary shaft 14, 15 Stopper 16 Friction member

Claims (3)

A finger operable with projecting from the outer member comprises a reciprocable operating keys capable of returning to its operation neutral position, a key input configured to variably output is obtained in accordance with the movement position of the operation key A device,
A first spring that urges the operation key to return to its neutral position when the operation force on the operation key is released;
A key fixing means that includes a friction member or a small protrusion provided on a side surface of the operation key and a protrusion provided on the exterior member side, and brakes the operation key by an engaging action of both;
A second spring that biases the operation key so as to secure a gap between the friction member or small protrusion of the operation key and the protrusion on the exterior member side;
By pressing the operation key against the protrusion side, the key fixing means is engaged, and by releasing the pressing, the operation key is urged by the second spring, and normal operation A key input device characterized by returning to a state . The operation key is configured as a zoom key that performs a zoom operation by changing a resistance value of a variable resistor according to a moving position, and keeps a zooming speed constant according to a position fixed by the key fixing means. The key input device according to claim 1 , wherein the key input device is configured as described above. A video camera comprising the zoom key according to claim 2 .

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